Players Split On Layoff From WSOP Main Event Final

The World Series of Poker has drawn out their Main Event long enough so that the tournament has reached its maximum exposure. The final table will resume this Sunday in Las Vegas after a 117 day layoff.

of the final nine players, there are split idea as to whether the layoff was beneficial or not. For the World Series of Poker, the layoff provided time to promote the final table, but for the players it was not all fun and games.

"My life has been pretty miserable, actually," said Ylon Schwartz, when asked how his layoff has been. "This break has been atrocious, in my opinion." Others, like chip leader Dennis Phillips has enjoyed the limelight.

"Things have been extremely hectic. It\\\'s all been positive," said Phillips. When he speaks of positive, he is talking about the various ways he has used his fame to help charitable causes. He is, however, concerned the layoff might affect his game. "I\\\'m going to have to start all over again," he said.

Although the players had a break from the tables, they did not have to wait for a share of the money that they have earned. Each of the final table players has already been awarded the ninth place share of $900,670 back in July.

Still, even with the money, Schwartz is not happy about the time off. "You don\\\'t stop a marathon at the Olympics in the 25th mile and give them three months to rest and come back and sprint for a mile. You let them finish and you don\\\'t take someone out of their zone," he said.

November 7, 2008
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III